THE EFFECTS OF ROAD DESIGN ON SPEED BEHAVIOUR: A LITERATURE REVIEW

This literature review contains an overview of the efficacy of various speed reducing measures. Measures that affect driving speed directly are discussed. However, special attention is paid to factors that affect driving speed indirectly, for instance by influencing the willingness to show the appropriate speed behaviour. Advantages and disadvantages of various measures are discussed. Currently, the largest reductions in driving speed are realised by speed reducing measures that physically restrict driving at high speeds. Since this only forces road users to reduce speed, but does not let them choose this voluntarily, a more optimal solution is to design roads that are "self-explaining". By designing a road that provides a speed image, that is in accordance with the actual speed limit, drivers will choose the appropriate driving speed more or less automatically. Currently, subjective road categories do not seem to correspond with the official road categories. Yet, no research has addressed the exact relationship between subjective road classification and actual driving behaviour. (A)

Corporate Authors:
TNO Human Factors Research Institute

Kampweg 5, P.O. Box 23
Soesterberg, Netherlands 3769 ZG
Authors:
- Martens, M H
- COMTE, S
- KAPTEIN, N A
Publication Date: 1997-10-30

Language

English

Media Info

Features: References;
Pagination: 36 p.
Serial:
- Issue Number: TM-97-B021

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Behavior; Drivers; Driving; Evaluation and assessment; Highway design; Improvements; Layout; Safety; Speed; Speed limits
ITRD Terms: 9001: Behaviour; 1772: Driver; 1855: Driving (veh); 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 2855: Highway design; 9108: Improvement; 2885: Layout; 1665: Safety; 5408: Speed; 624: Speed limit
Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00752278
Record Type: Publication
Source Agency: Institute for Road Safety Research, SWOV
Files: ITRD
Created Date: Sep 18 1998 12:00AM